High pressure control valve



June 18, 1957 DAUDELIN 2,796,074

HIGH PRESSURE CONTROL. VALVE Filed July 31. 1951 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fil 9 2 2 C o O J" -22,

r U N LL. r H m N to N INVENTOR. R. G. DAUDELIN June 18, 1957 R; G. DAUDELIN 2,796,074

HIGH PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE Filed July 31, 1951 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3.

I INVENTOR.

R.G.DAUDELIN q :2 BY jaw/QM.

ATTYS.

United States Patent This invention relates generally to high pressure valves and more specifically to a flushing. valve particularly suitable foruse in a torpedo propelling system wherein hydrogen peroxide is'ernployed' as a fuel;

It is the general practice, prior to' the acceptance of a torpedo for service use, to extensively test each torpedo by requiring that it complete a minimum number of satisfactory test runs whereupon thecontrols an'd functional characteristics of the torpedo may be determined under actual service conditions. These test operations arefacilitated by the valve arrangement of the present invention which, upon the completion of each test run, operates in a novel manner to discharge from the fuel system water taken on by the torpedo during the consummation of the hydrogen peroxide fuel thereof whereby the normally negatively buoyant torpedo isthusly made buoyant for rising-to the surface of the'water for easy recovery by the test crew.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved high pressure valve pyrotechnically actuated from an initialflow controlling position to a second flow controlling position;

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid controlling valve wherein the flow of fluid through the valve is controlled by movement therein ofa piston actuatable responsively to force applied thereto from' a pyrotechnic source.

A further object of the present invention isto provide a fluid controlling valve wherein the force of the fluid controlled by the valve becomes eflective to maintain the valve in an operated position.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section and partly cut away of the multiple outlet valve of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the valve partly cut away and showing the arrangement therein of the piston retaining ball detent in piston retaining position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view in part of a hydrogen peroxide, sea water, and high pressure air system of a hydrogen peroxide fueled torpedo .and showing the arrangement in the system of the valve of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and with more particularity to Fig. 1 thereof, the valve of the present invention and generally designated 5, is shown thereby to include an elongated body section 6 wherein is provided a centrally arranged bore 7. Closing one end of this bore 7 isa cap piece 8 through which screws 9 extend for securing the cap to the body section in a manner illus trated to advantage in Fig. 2. By the provision of arr. O-ring gasket 10, formed preferably from rubber or the like, and arranged within a suitable groove provided about the cap piece 8, a high pressure seal is maintained r 2,796,074 Patented June 18', r 1957 .2 betweenthecap' and body as the cap is secured thereto by: thetighteningof thescrews'9;

Intersecting the bore 7 are ports 13, 14, and 15 respectively threaded,..as at 16, whereby maybe connected with the ports suitable fluid couplings such as 17 and 18. By the arrangement of: a centrally disposed port 19 within the cap piece 8' and wherein is threaded a fluid coupling 20, fluid entering the valve by way of this port may pass freely from the valve through the port 15 initially in fluid circuit with port,1'9.

Threaded, as at 22', into the opposite end-of the body section 6 is' a plug? piece 2? whereinis secured, as by press fitting, a sleeve equipped electroresponsive detonator assembly generallydesignated 24' and from which the elec trical leads 25 thereof extend outwardly from the plug by way on a' conventional gland nut assembly including a gland screw 26. The arrangement of the screw 26 provides for compressing about the insulation 27 of the leads a suitable sealingwashe'r', not" shown, whereby moisture is' prevented from'enteri'n'g the detonator cavity within ice the plugby way of this" electrical connection with the detonator. I i

As" the plug'zs isthreaded intothe end of the body member 6 a suitable O-rin'g28 is' compressed to the end of the plug thusly to provide a'moisture and pressure proof connection therebetween.

Disposed for axifal movement within the bore 7 is a closely fitted piston member 29. By the arrangement of a spring actuated ball detent assembly, generally designated' 3'2 and threaded as at 33 within the body member 6-, Fig. 2', the pistbn is' initially maintained in the position illustrated, Fig. 1*, until the ball 34 of the detent is ca'rnmed from its secu'rem'ent of the piston as the latter is accelerated to a second position against the cap piece 8 following the ignition of the detonator 24. Movement of the piston in this manner causes an interruption of the fluid circuit between ports'19 and 15 as a second fluid circuit between ports 13 and" 14 is established.

By the provision of a reduced extension on the piston, as at 30, and against which the force of the detonator 24 is directed, the driving force thusly applied to the piston for a predetermined stroke thereof is in this manner increased.

As the piston movesto its second position against the cap piece 8 responsive to pressure applied thereto from the detonator 24, an O-ring seal 31 arranged as illus trated Within the bore 7 receives the piston therewithin thereby to provide a high pressure seal between ports 15 and 19 during such time as the piston 29 is interposed therebetween. As ports 13 and 14 are thusly connected, fluid admitted thereby to the valve bore 7 and behind the piston becomes effective to maintain the piston in its operated position against the cap piece 8 during the following interval of operation of the valve.

A better understanding of the operation of the present valve may become more clearly apparent when discussed in connection with its use in a hydrogen peroxide fuel system, Fig. 3, of a torpedo wherein the valve arrangement of applicant has been found particularly suitable.

The fuel system, as illustrated, is comprised of a plurality of hydrogen peroxide filled collapsible bags 36 respectively arranged within suitably formed rigid tank members 37. A sealing connection is provided respectively between the tanks and mouths of the bags, as at 38, whereby pressure when applied internally to the tanks, by way of the connections 40, has the effect of compressing the bags to cause the hydrogen peroxide therein to be forced through the mouth of the bags and intothe header or fluid conduit 41.

As the torpedo is launched a suitable switching arrangement is provided for energizing a detonator responsive valve assembly 42 thereby to allow high pressure air from a receptacle 43 therefor to pass, by way of an open fluid circuit 44 in a control valve 45, to a starting tank 46 similar in construction to-the tanks 37 and wherein isarranged in a similar manner a hydrogen peroxide filled bag 47.

As air pressure is thusly applied internally to the tank 46 and accordingly to the outer surface of the bag 47 the fluid within this bag is forced, by way of the connection 48, to a valve 49 to be admitted therein by way of the port 50 and thence discharged by way of the port 51. A

'fluid conduit 52 connecting the valve with a catalyst medium and drive it under pressure into the tanks-37 by way of the initially connected ports 19 and 15 of the flushing valve assembly of the present invention. As water pressure is in this manner applied to the outer surface of the bags 36 the hydrogen peroxide therein is caused to be driven from the bags by way of a check valve 56 to the valve 49 and thence to the engine in the manner previously described. Fluid pressure from the pump 55, in addition to forcing the hydrogen peroxide from the bags 36, further provides for shifting the position of the piston 57 of the control valve 45 to disconnect the air supply from the receptacle 43 concurrently with connecting with the tank 46 the water pressure system from the pump 55 whereby in this manner the remaining hydrogen peroxide is forced from the starting bag 47 by water pressure in a similar manner to the discharging of the hydrogen peroxide from the bags 36.

At the completion of the torpedo run, and which is determined by the exhausting of the fuel from the system and consequently the stopping of the torpedo engine, the pump 55 thereby ceases to operate whereupon the torpedo, now negatively buoyant, starts descending toward the bed of the body of water.

As the torpedo settles within the water a hydrostatic switch or other such similar apparatus, not shown, operates to effect the energization of an electroresponsive detonator 58 of the valve 49 to drive a piston 59 thereof from its initial position to a second position for closing the fluid circuit to the catalyst chamber 53 concurrently with connecting in fluid circuit the ports 60 and 61.

Upon movement of the piston 59 of the valve 49 in the manner described, high pressure air from the line 62 and initially controlled by the piston 59 is discharged into and from the valve 49 and into the hydrogen peroxide system including the connection 63 to pass by way of the connection 41 and check valve 56 into the bags 36 and 47 thusly to expand the bags outwardly against the water within the respective tanks 37 and 46.

Upon energization of the detonator 24 of the flushing valve 5, which occurs concurrently with the firing of detonator 58 of valve 49, the position of a piston 29 thereof is shifted, as previously described, to connect the port 14 to the port 13 whereupon the air pressure now 'bein g applied internal-1y to the bags 36 and 47 may force the water from the tanks and into the surrounding water. As the aft end portion 66 of the piston is carried by the force of the detonator 24 beyond the port 14, the pressure at this time within the system exceeds the external water pressure being applied to the forward end 67 of the piston whereby during the flushing operation of the valve the piston is maintained by this pressure in sealing relation between ports 19 and 15. As the water is thusly forced from the system the torpedo is made buoyant to 4 rise to the surface of the water from whence it may be recovered by the test crew.

For further details as to .the construction and operation of valve 49, reference may be had to my copending application for High Pressure Control Valve, Serial No. 239,602,tfiled July 31, 1951, now Patent No. 2,777,455 of January 15, 1957, wherein valve 49 is disclosed and claimed.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A high pressure valve of the character disclosed comprising, an elongated housing, an electroresponsive detonator axially disposed in one end of said housing, a

longitudinal stepped bore extending through said housing, an integral plunger and piston member disposed for movement in said stepped bore, and movable in response to actuation of said detonator, said plunger being of lesser diameter than said piston member at a face portion thereof which is subjected to the force of said detonator, said piston having a conical valve surface formed thereon, means including a plurality of ports forming a pair of alternatively conductive fluid circuits through said housing and intersecting said bore, said piston member being initially disposed between a first pair of said ports for interrupting a first of said fluid circuits and movable within the bore of said housing when actuated by said plunger to a second position between a second pair of said ports, means including a valve seat encircling one of said circuits for arresting movement of cooperative with said piston to prevent piston rebound and to provide an initial high pressure seal between the second of said fluid circuits after movement of said piston between said first and second positions.

2. A high pressure valve of the character disclosed comprising, a body member having a centrally disposed stepped bore extending therethrough, means forming a plurality of ports intersecting said bore and providing through said body a pair of fluid circuits, a piston having a conical valve surface formed integrally therewith and disposed for close fitting sliding movement within said bore and having an initial position in fluid flow interrupting relation in one of said fluid circuits, means forming a valve seat encircling one of said ports in the other of said fluid circuits, an electroresponsive detonator, a

plunger integral with said piston and of lesser diameter and arranged to be movable within a reduced diameter portion of said bore and responsive to the firing of said detonator to drive said piston from said initial position to a fluid flow interrupting position with the valve surface thereof engaging said seat in the second of said pair of fluid circuits, and a compliant means for additionally sealing said one of said ports and arresting rebound movement of said piston and plunger as the valve surface thereof moves into engagement with said seat after the initial accelerated motion is decelerated to a stop with the piston adjacent one of said ports.

3. A high pressure valve of the character disclosed comprising, in combination, an elongated housing having a centrally arranged stepped bore extending therethrough, means forming a counterbore in said bore thereby to provide a shoulder in said housing, a plug piece constructed and arranged for closing one end of said bore, a plunger and piston assembly disposed for close fitting sliding movement respectively within said bore and countenbore and with the plunger initially arranged in adjacency to said plug piece, means forming a recess in said plug piece in adjacency to said plunger, an electroresponsive detonator arranged in said recess and fireable in response to an electric signal to drive said plunger through said bore, said piston of said assembly being arranged to be moved within said counterbore and actuatable for combined movement with said plunger 'from an initial position to a second position in said counter-bore, port means forming a high pressure fluid circuit through said valve and initial-1y closed by said piston when in its initial position, and means including a pair of ports forming an initially open low pressure fluid circuit through said valve and closable by movement of said piston to said second position while alternatively opening said high pressure fluid circuit to communicate high fluid pressure by way of said countenbore to said piston to maintain said piston in said second position against low fluid pressure within said low pressure fluid circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,707,692 Ter Beest Apr. 2, 1929 1,811,890 Lindsay June 30, 1931 1,940,990 Ball Dec. 26, 1933 2,360,733 Smith Oct. 17, 1944 2,405,439 Lubbock Aug. 6, 1946 2,441,894 Mennecier May 18, 1948 2,447,651 Jennings et al Aug. 24, 1948 2,485,504 Morgan Oct. 18, 1949 2,557,448 Mathisen June 19, 1951 2,621,885 Schmitt Dec. 16, 1952 Newhouse Jan. 17, 1956 

